Notchy Gear Changes

[AJAMESR]

Received my new Octavia this week and must say I am more happy and impressed than I thought I would be. Ordered Moon White with sunset glass and Teron wheels. Not sure what it would look like in the flesh as the dealer didn't have one in White for me to view, but I was blown away when I first saw it and it only gets better each day.

Following some recommendations from other threads I got the poor boys Diamond White and Sealant and had it done on day two. Fantastic!

Driving experience is great too. The Standard sound system ( couldn't get the Canton) even on Bluetooth from my iPhone using Spotify ( high bit rate preloads ) is amazing. Honestly, if I was ordering again I would save the money on the canton and put it towards something else, the standard sound is plenty good for me.

Only thing I'm finding different to my previous cars ( never had an out of showroom car before though ) is the gear changes. Does the Octavia have a more clunky or notchy gear box?

I remember years ago the old Hyundai Accent changed gear box set up between models which made for a more " selective" than "smooth" gear change experience. Probably trying to mimic a sporty experience.

I don't dislike it, just wondering if it's a standard experience for everyone?

Also only a couple of hundred miles up so far. But looking forward to many more.

[SJFISHER67]

I have noticed this on mine too, seems at times to be very notchy, especially from first to second. Far more than my Fabia and my girlfriends Ibiza FR.

[JungleJames]

Yeah, it does seem to be worse from 1st to 2nd. Not too bad after that. Quite smooth I find. Probably just what im used to though.

But yes, definitely first couple of changes seem notchy

[GTR27]

6spd or a 5spd and what engine combo?

[AJAMESR]

6spd or a 5spd and what engine combo?

5 SPD Diesel. 

[GTR27]

Interesting. I had to order a manual untested, as in australia everyones a lazy ****** and they struggle to shift manuals......

 

I did have a mk2 vRS TSI with a 6spd manual, and IIRC it was one of the lightest clutch/gearbox combos ive ever driven! Slightly "rubbery" but certainly not notchy in any way. I just assumed that the current model 6spd will be similar. Wondering if the 5 and 6sp are markedly different?

 

The wife's Honda Jazz has a very "Notchy" sounding gearbox, but it is really nice to use. Precise and that bolt action feel (but accompanied by that "notchy" sound). If it's like that, I wouldnt be unhappy, as for feel its one of the best gearboxes i've used.

 

Interesting to see others compare

[ski1]

I have 2.0tdi 6 speed manual and my gearbox is very precise and nice to use, but it is very noisy. Every time when I change gear I can hear click-clack noise. Especialy when I have windows opened and changing from 1st to 2nd and 3rd. Also when I made fast press and depress of clutch pedal in neutral I can geat very loud click clack noise.

[CaoraDubha]

My TSI (same box i guess) is the same although going from 6th to 3rd can be a bit wooly i find, but overall i find it good, my 159's were very clunky at times when you changed gears. I was wondering if you could get a short shift conversion for it as it might make for more positived gear changes.

 

Still its a wonderful car and it can gobble tarmac at a high rate of knots when you push on, i've not red lined it yet as its only done 3000Km but coming off the slip road onto the m-way in third she hit 158Kph very quickly and was still pulling hard when i eased off and changed up. A FireFox moment for sure "Boy is this a machine" to quote Eastwood.

Edited 6 July, 2014 by CaoraDubha

[Leonblue]

1st and 2nd can be bad on mine, especially when it's cold. It actually crunches sometimes. It's nowhere near as good as the Seat Leon Mk1 that I had with the 6 speed several years back. 

[Dan25730]

5 speed diesel here and it's soooo much better than the nissan Qashqai I had last. Occasionaly the reverse gear can be a bit of a pain but 1 to 5 no issues, very smooth.

[Da21982]

I work for skoda as a tech and I also own a vrs 6 speed as above when the car is cold the 1st to 2nd gear selection is quite poor their is a grinding feeling through the gear stick when selecting 2nd. I have spoke to skoda technical and they say their might be an issue as the gearboxes are mass produced and are used for more than 1 brand so theirs plenty of them around. When I feel the times is right im going to remove the gearbox and strip it down (under warranty) of course as I work their I get the privilege and I get paid to fix my own car

[pipsyp]

My 150 TDi 6 speed is a little notchy goinf from 1st to 2nd from cold but once up to temp its generally fine.

Its a fine gearbox and has a nice shift and clutch weighting. The shift quality is definitely better than any manual VAG group car Ive had prior and ive had a few now.

[neiln]

Does your shifting feel the same no matter how far you press the clutch pedal?  And where it's the bite point on the clutch pedal, high or low?

[pipsyp]

Yes pretty much. The box is a little notchy when the car is cold, particularly the change from 1st to 2nd.....in fairness 1st to 2nd often feels a bit sloppy even when warm but does improve considerably once the gearbox oil has warmed through. Clutch pedal position doesnt matter, id also say biting point is probably around the lower middle of the pedal travel.

[neiln]

If the clutch bite point is low I wonder if it is fully disengaged. If I change gear and am slightly sloppy with the clutch, not pressing it to the floor, the gear change feels notchy, but fine if I fully press the pedal.  Maybe ask your dealer to adjust the clutch? Is it cable or hydraulic on the octy? I haven't a clue.

[vrsalan]

I'm finding the exact same thing here, 1st-2nd gear on my vRS TSI mk III is notchy and even though it does get better when the car is warm it's still not as smooth as my 8yr old Mondeo was. It seems to be getting gradually worse from new and the car hasn't even done 2000 miles yet. Is it worth taking it in to the dealers and getting them to take a look or is it just "normal"? Is it something that can be adjusted?

[Gerrycan]

My TSI (same box i guess) is the same although going from 6th to 3rd can be a bit wooly i find, but overall i find it good, my 159's were very clunky at times when you changed gears. I was wondering if you could get a short shift conversion for it as it might make for more positived gear changes.

 

Still its a wonderful car and it can gobble tarmac at a high rate of knots when you push on, i've not red lined it yet as its only done 3000Km but coming off the slip road onto the m-way in third she hit 158Kph very quickly and was still pulling hard when i eased off and changed up. A FireFox moment for sure "Boy is this a machine" to quote Eastwood.

 

I found my Mk3 1.4tsi manual was relatively notchy on the first to second change from new. I would qualify that statement by saying I had come from a 5 speed 1.9pd Mk2 which I thought was exceptional and easily the best gear change I had experienced for years (Ford Escort Mk2 4 speed was even better imo).

Now after 2500 miles I find the change is either improving, or I am just getting used to it as I still have some of my diesel habits and tend to change early (at low revs). Mine is also a bit schizo as it is surprisingly better when changes occur at 4000 revs or more.

Personally I think that 2nd gear is a little high which may contribute to the issue.

 

There is an aftermarket fit available for VAG 5 and 6 speed boxes to shorten the throw and it seems relatively easy to fit.

 

http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/Other/Quick_and_Side_Shifters.html

 

It apparently works very well on the old 5 speed box but cannot find any unbiased comments on current 6 speed installations.

Edited 14 October, 2014 by Gerrycan

[loadswine]

My VRS tsi can feel a little bit notchy when cold, but I've not found it a big issue. Its not changed in 7500 miles and gear is always engaged okay. I just assumed it was a characteristic of the box, but it is interesting to hear what others have found with theirs.

[Bowiesst]

I have the same issue in my Vrs Mklll but just took it that its a sportier box. Is intresting to hear everyones opinion though.

[GTR27]

I found my Mk3 1.4tsi manual was relatively notchy on the first to second change from new. I would qualify that statement by saying I had come from a 5 speed 1.9pd Mk2 which I thought was exceptional and easily the best gear change I had experienced for years (Ford Escort Mk2 4 speed was even better imo).

Now after 2500 miles I find the change is either improving, or I am just getting used to it as I still have some of my diesel habits and tend to change early (at low revs). Mine is also a bit schizo as it is surprisingly better when changes occur at 4000 revs or more.

Personally I think that 2nd gear is a little high which may contribute to the issue.

There is an aftermarket fit available for VAG 5 and 6 speed boxes to shorten the throw and it seems relatively easy to fit.

http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/Other/Quick_and_Side_Shifters.html

It apparently works very well on the old 5 speed box but cannot find any unbiased comments on current 6 speed installations.

My mk2 rs had a great gearbox, not notchy in the slightest. Due to the complete lack of manuals available, I haven't driven an octy 3 in manual, so here's hoping when mine arrives, it's OK. Thanks for the short shifter link, will see how it goes, but look at it if I don't like the shift.

[Johnnie41]

Took delivery of my VRS TFSI 3 weeks ago and the gear change from 1st to 2nd is very notchy when cold, but improves noticeably once warmed up. Thought it was me, until I read these posts. So it seems to be a trait of this gearbox. Has anyone taken it in to their dealer ?

[Leonblue]

Took delivery of my VRS TFSI 3 weeks ago and the gear change from 1st to 2nd is very notchy when cold, but improves noticeably once warmed up. Thought it was me, until I read these posts. So it seems to be a trait of this gearbox. Has anyone taken it in to their dealer ?

Seems to be related to the temperature of the gearbox oil. It gets worse in winter with the cold starts, mine was an absolute pig last year.

[vrsalan]

Took delivery of my VRS TFSI 3 weeks ago and the gear change from 1st to 2nd is very notchy when cold, but improves noticeably once warmed up. Thought it was me, until I read these posts. So it seems to be a trait of this gearbox. Has anyone taken it in to their dealer ?

I'm still thinking about it but my nearest dealer is inconveniently far away, so I haven't done so yet. And if there's nothing that can be done about it, there isn't much point anyway.

[Leonblue]

Was the diesel one you had OK?

[Johnnie41]

The diesel was DSG. If the DSG was only a few hundred more, I would have gone for that. Never expected the manual to be so notchy. Had a mk 2 vRS which had a great gearbox.